That Reptile Blog – Reptile, Amphibian and Exotic Pet Care and Information

A recent review of studies involving 17 populations of 8 snake species, including Ball Pythons, Asps, Rhinoceros Vipers and Gaboon Vipers, has raised the alarming possibility that steep declines may be in progress in many countries.  While it is too early to draw conclusions, this news is disturbingly similar to the origins of the global amphibian decline first uncovered in 1990.

Ominous Findings

The most frightening aspect of the study is the fact that unrelated snake species in widely varying habitats and locations (Italy, Nigeria, France, Australia) were involved.  Some of the largest declines – 90% in several cases – were recorded in protected areas.  Much like the extinction of the Golden Toad, which disappeared from a pristine cloud forest in Costa Rica, these mysterious declines point to causes that are difficult to identify and remedy.  Read More »

Please see Part 1 of this article for further information on keeping and breeding Green Basilisks (Basiliscus plumifrons), American or Brown Basilisks (B. basiliscus) and Banded Basilisks (B. vittatus).

Nesting Behavior

Female Green Basilisks deposit 7-15 eggs in a 6-10 inch deep pit that they evacuate in moist soil (please see Part I of this article for details).  The front and rear legs are then brought into play in re-filling the nest site.  Read More »

Many interesting, current amphibian and reptile field research reports are published in professional journals such as Copeia, Herpetologica and Herpetological Review, and are not available on the internet.  Unfortunately, such journals are usually quite expensive (if well-worth the price).  From time to time I’ll provide summaries of some of the fascinating articles that I come across.  Today’s report covers Spring, 2020 publications: Clouded Salamanders, Red-Eyed Treefrogs, Green Frogs and Strawberry Poison Frogs.

Clouded Salamander, Aneides ferrus

Although known to climb trees, the Clouded Salamander is most often found (and studied) below fallen logs.  Researchers in southwestern Oregon were, therefore, surprised to find a pair of these salamanders in a tree cavity (Douglas Fir) 240 feet above the ground.  Red Tree Voles (small arboreal rodents) were also using the site for food storage.

It is not known if water contained within tree cavities might provide a breeding site for Clouded Salamanders.

Red-Eyed Treefrog, Agalychnis callidryas

Researchers in Costa Rica reported the first known example of a spider feeding upon amphibian eggs.  A Rusty Wandering Spider (Cupiennius getazi) was photographed while consuming Red-Eyed Treefrog eggs, which had been deposited on a leaf overhanging a small pond.  Interestingly, the spider appeared to defend its food source.

The eggs did not spontaneously hatch when disturbed by the spider, as they do when attacked by wasps and snakes.

Strawberry Poison Frog, Oophaga pumilio

Although diurnal activity is the rule for Dendrobatids (Poison Frogs), male Strawberry Poison Frogs were observed calling and engaging in territorial battles after dark (Costa Rica)…perhaps its time to install night-viewing lights on our Poison Frog terrariums!

Green Frog, Rana clamitans

Long known for occasionally producing blue-colored Green Frogs, a stream in upstate NY has now yielded a brilliant yellow specimen.  The frog also sported a black blotch on its back, green above the eyes, and greenish-brown legs – quite a sight!

Further Reading

A video of a treefrog eggs hatching while being attacked by a snake, along with fascinating info and photos, is posted on the Warkentin Lab website.

A recent announcement by the US Fish & Wildlife Service (US F&WS) has fueled rumors that the shipping of frog legs (please see photo) and the pet trade in live frogs and salamanders may soon be curtailed or banned.  This is not actually the case, but there will soon be an opportunity for people to register comments concerning the trade with the US government. Read More »

I cannot imagine why aquatic insects have not attracted more interest from invertebrate enthusiasts.  Thousands of species, many of which are large and active by day, may be kept in relatively simple aquariums.  Aquatic insect exhibits that I have established in zoos and museums are invariably very popular with visitors.  From Dragonfly Larvae that flick out extendable “lips” to snare prey to Giant Water Bugs that can tackle small turtles, these other-worldly beings are fascinating to observe, and most are simple to collect.  Today I’d like to cover the natural history of 2 species that are sometimes available in the pet trade, the Sunburst or Marbled Diving Beetle (Thermonectes marmoratus) and Green Diving Beetle (Thermonectes sp.). I’ll discuss their captive care in Part 2. Read More »